Call-registered signals for elevator systems



Sept. le, w58 W. F. ms 2,352,756

CALL-REGISTERED SIGNALS FOR ELEVATOR SYSTEMS Filed ug. 17. 195s l 2 sheets-sheet 1 LW w|T|| ADQTIONS sHowN IN HEAVY LINES l ,'-gmeuw sun fr: L-L L+4 Bc? bi rm fw Hdsum GARN 6 B e B32 BASA sul. suc YSVUVR 1 ",55 B33' ATTORNEY -o IM euLA SUE 1 be BD6 SW3 sum GURN B32 I Bs s Bce Bw4 gjllmw TIL a a suLA VVVCSUR B33 SUE l131:5 u/Bbs suRN W 1 95 y Sept H6, 1958 w. F. EAMES 2,8525'756 CALL-REGISTERED SIGNALS FOR ELEVATOR SYSTEMS v Filed Aug. 17, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet` 2 Fig. 2.

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CA BY/@Gf/ww ATTORNEY United States Fatent O CALL-REGISTERED SIGNALS F R ELEVATOR SYSTEMS William F. Eames, Westfield, N. J., assigner to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 17, 1953, Serial No. 374,460

11 Claims. (Cl. S40- 19) This invention relates to signaling devices for indicating that a predetermined operation has been performed, and it has particular relation to call-registered signals for indicating that a call for service is registered in an elevator system.

In various systems, it is a practice to provide signals for indicating that a predetermined operation has been ef* fected. For example, in an elevator system it is a practice to provide a plurality of floor-station units, each operable for registering a call for elevator service for the associated iioor. In order to indicate that a call for service is registered, a suitable signal may be associated with each of the floor-station units.

In a typical elevator system, the door-station unit may take the form of a push-button station located at each of the oors served by the elevator car. In order to register a call for elevator service, a prospective or intending passenger at one of the floors may operate the push-button for such floor. The registration of the call may be indicated by a suitable signal, such as a lamp located adjacent the operated push-button.

In prior art systems, it has been the practice to run an electrical conductor for each lamp associated with a pushbutton to a central equipment room, such as a penthouse, containing control equipment for the elevator system. The requirement of such conductors adds materially to the cost and complexity of the elevator system.

In accordance with the invention, a signal for indicating a predetermined operation is provided which requires a minimum of wiring. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each push-button employed in an elevator system for registering a call for service has a terminal which is connected tota common bus only during the registration of a call for service. By establishing an electric voltage between the bus and an electroconductive member adjacent each of the push-buttons, a signal may be connected between the -bus and the electrically conductive member with a minimum of wiring. In a preferred embodiment of theinvention, the electroconductive member is ground. j The signal conveniently may be in the form of a lamp and preferably is a cold-cathode gaseous-discharge lamp. Although the lamp may -be energized from a source of electric energy employed for energizing the control circuits of the elevator system, generally a direct-current source, preferably a separate source of alternating voltage is provided for the lamps. ln order to prevent the discharge of direct current through the lamps, a suitable blocking device, such as a capacitor, is provided for blocking the iiow of vdirect current through the lamp while permitting the flow of current derived from the source of alternating voltage.

lIf the lamps `are to lbe energized from the direct-current source employed for the control circuits of the elevator system, blocking devices in the form of rectitiers may be employed for eliminating sneak circuits.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an` Patented Sept. ltd, i@

Mice

improved signaling mechanism for indicating that a pre-- It is also an object of the invention to provide an ele,

vator system having floor push-'buttons operable for registering calls for elevator service and having a signal device for each of the push-buttons, wherein a source of direct-current energy is employed for circuits associated with the' push-button units and wherein asource of alternating electric energy is provided for the signal devices.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a system as set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein each signaling device is in the form of a cold-cathode gaseous-discharge tube, and wherein each of the signaling devices is energized through a direct-current blocking device.

lOther objects of the invention will be apparent from thedrawings taken in conjunction with the following description, in which: x

Figure l is a schematic view with circuit shown in straight-line form of an elevator system embodying the invention; and,

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are schematic views with circuits shown in straight-line form illustrating modilications of the invention.

The invention may be incorporated in any elevator system having Hoor-station units, such as pushbuttons, for registering calls for elevator service. For the purpose of illustration, it will be assumed that the invention is added to the elevator system disclosed in my Patent 2,501,320 which was issued March 21, 1950.

The present Fig. 1 is intended to employ the complete system of my laforesaid patent with certain additions which are shown in heavy lines. Since the additions may be illustrated as applied to Fig. 4 of my aforesaid patent, such Fig. 4 is reproduced in its entirety in the present Fig. l.

Apparatus common to my aforesaid patent and to the present Fig. l maybe listed as follows:

Apparatus individual to car A Apparatus common to both cars 2DR to TDR-down call-storing relays ZUR to UR-up call-storing relays f ZDRN to 7DRN, ZURN to URN-cancellation coils for storing relays 2D to 7D-down floor buttons 2U to 6U-up floor buttons For a complete description of the apparatus set forth in the above list, reference may be made to my aforesaid patent. However, to facilitate an understanding of the invention, a brief rsum of typical operations will now be given.

The circuits illustrated in detail in Fig. l are intended for operation to register calls for elevator service from the iioors of a structure or building served by the elevator cars. For example, if a prospectivevpassenger at the fourth floor desires to register a call for service in the up direction he presses the push-button 4U 'to connect the up call-storing relay 4UR across the buses L+3 and L-S. The energization of the up call-storing relay 4UR results in closure of the. holding contacts 4UR1 to establish a holding circuit around the push-button 4U.

The `first available elevator car to approach the fourth oor while set for travel in the up direction fstops `at the` fourth `hoor to answer 'the 'call for service. if the elevator car A is set for travel in the up direction and is approaching the fourth iioor, the brush 32 engages the contact segment b4 to complete the following stopping circuit:

L-l-S, 4UR1, b4, 32, W3, S, L-S

The energization of the oor call stopping relay S conditions the elevator car A to stop at the fourth floor.

If the elevator car A stops at the fourth floor, the brush 33 engages the Contact segment c4 to complete the following cancel circuit:

L+3, 4UR1, 4URN, c4, 33, W4, M3, L-3

The energization of the canceling coil 4URN resets the up call-storing relay 4UR, and the relay opens its make contacts 4UR1 to interrupt the energization of the relay and of the canceling coil.

It will be understood that the up call-storing relay 4UR usually would Vbe located in the penthouse of the building or st-ructure served by the elevator car,whereas the push-button 4U would be located in a floor-station unitv at the fourth floor o-f the structure or building. One terminal of the push-button would be connected to the relay by means of an electroconductive element or wire 4UW.

Each of the up push-buttons 2U to 6U similarly is associated with its up call-storing relay. In each case, the electroconductive element is identified by the letter W preceded by the reference character employed for the associated push-button.

In a similar manner, each of the push-buttons 2D to 7D may be pressedto register a call for elevator service in the down direction. For example, if the push-button 45D is pressed, the down call-storing relay 4DR is corinected across the buses L+3 and L-3 for energization. This relay closes its make contacts DRI to establish a holding circuit around the push-button. able elevator car set for travel in the down direction which approaches the fourth oor is stopped in response to the registered call. For example, if the elevator car A is the first available car to reach the fourth oor under these conditions, the following stopping circuit is completed:

The energization of the floor call stopping relay S stops the elevator car A at the fourth floor in a manner which is clearly set forth in my aforesaid patent.

As the elevator car A stops at the fourth floor, the brush 41 engages the contact segment f4 to complete the following canceling circuit:

The energization of the cancellation coil resets the down call-storing relay 4DR which opens its make contacts 4DR1 to de-energize the relay 4DR and the cancelling coil 4DRN.

It will be understood that each of the down call-storing relays may be located in a penthouse, whereas each of the down push-buttons may be located at one of the floors served by the elevator cars. Each ofthe down call storing relays is :connected to a terminal of its associated push-button in the manner discussed for the up callstoring relays. Thus, the relay 4DR has a terminal connected to a terminal of the push-button 4D through the electroconductive element 4DW.

in order to indicate each registration of a call for service, a source of voltage is connected across the bus- For example,

The rst availvL|5 and an electroconductive member which extends -adjacent each of the aforesaid station units or pushbuttons. Although the electroconductive member may be in the form of a wire, it will be assumed that ground serves as the electroconductive member. In elevator installations, it is common practice to place wiring in the ,push-buttons.

similar to that appearing between the bus L-f-E and L-3.

Preferably, however, the voltage is of a type permitting segregation of currents derived from the buses from circuits associated with the source of voltage. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the source of voltage may be derived from an alternating Vsource SV having 'a frequency selected from a wide range of frequencies. As a specific example, a frequency of 1,000 cycles per second is suitable. The alternating source SV is connected across the primary winding of a transformer TR. The transformer has a secondary winding connected between the bus L-i-S and the aforesaid electroconductive member or ground GR. Preferably, direct current is prevented from flowing through the secondary winding of the 'transformer TR by inserting in series therewith a suitable blocking device, such as a capacitor CA. The capacitor is selected to offer a low impedance to current having a frequency of 1,000 cycles per second.

Each of the push-buttons has associated therewith ai signal device which preferably is in the form of a lamp. Each lamp is designated by the letter L preceded by the reference character of the push-button with which the lamp is associated. For example, the lamp 4UL is associated with the push-button 4U.

Each of the lamps has one terminal connected to that terminal of the associated push-button which is connected to the associated call-storing relay. maining terminal of the lamp is connected to the electroconductive member or ground GR. Preferably, each of the lamps is energized through a circuit which includes a blocking device for blocking current produced by the direct voltage appearingl across the bus L|3 and L-3. As shown in Fig. 1, the blocking device may take the form of a capacitor connected in series with each of the lamps. Each of the capacitorsV is designatedby the letter C preceded by the reference character employed for the associated push-button. For example, the capacitor 4UC is connected in series with the lamp 4UL associated with the push-button 4U. It will be noted that the circuit for the lamp 4UL extends between the electroconductive element 4UW and ground. A similar' energizing circuit is associated with each of the lamps for each of the push-buttons.

Although the lamp may be of the incandescent iilament type, preferably it is a low-wattage cold-electrode gaseous-discharge lamp. Lamps of this type sometimes are referred to as neon lamps if the gas contained therein through a mask or stencil giving the light the outline of an arrow pointed in the direction of desired travel. Such' masking and coloring of light for indicating lamps is wellk known in the art.

The relt is believed that the operation of th'elamps now may be set forth.` Let it be assumed that av prospective passenger at the fourth floor presses-the push-button 4U to register a callfor service in the up direction. As a result of such pressure of the pushbutton, the up callstoring relay 4UR is energized and closes its holding contacts 4UR1. lt will be noted that the lamp 4UL now is energized through a circuit which extends from one terminal of the secondary winding of the transformer TR through the capacitor CA, the bus L-|-3, the con- Vtacts'4UR1, part of the'electroconductive element 4UW,

the capacitor 4UC, the lamp 4UL and ground back to the remaining terminal of the secondary winding. The

energization of the lamp continues until the relay 4UR` is reset to open its contacts 4UR1. Each of the lamps is similarly energized in response to operation of its associated push-button. j

It should be noted that the wiring for each of the lamps need not extend beyond the associate push-button station. Consequently, a minimum of cost and complexity is introduced by the lamps illustrated in Fig. 1.

As previously pointed out, ground GR may be em ployed as an electroconductive member extending adjacent each of the lamps. lf desired, a separate wire may be employed in place `of ground. Such a wire GRW is illustrated in Fig. 4.- The system of Fig.' 4 may be identical to that of Fig. l, except for the replacement of the ground connection GR by thewire GRW. For this reason, a further discussion of Fig. V4 appears to be unnecessary. y f

If desired, the samesource of energy may be employed for thevarious relays and for'their lamps. Thus, in

Fig. 2, the relays 6UR and SUR together with the can celing coils URN'and SURN are again `associated with the buses L+3 and L-Sin'the manner discussed with reference to Fig. 1. However, a conductor or wire L-3A extends from the bus L.-3 .and passes adjacent each of the push-button stations of' the elevator system. Consequently, the direct voltage appearing between the buses L+3 and L-3 'also appears between the bus L-l-S and the'wire L-SA. Each of the push-buttons hasy associated therewith a lamp for `the purpose of indicating registration of a call for service. For example, lamps 6ULA and SULA are associated respectively with the push-buttons 6U and 5U. These lamps may be coldcathode gaseous-discharge lamps of the type discussed with reference to Fig. 1. However, for present purposes it will be assumed that these lamps are incandescent filament lamps.

By inspection of Fig. 2, it Will`be`observed that the lamp 6ULA is connected between the wires 6UW and L-3A. Preferably, this connection includes'a rectifier 6UE to permit liow of currentthrough the lamp from the positive bus, but to prevent flow of current in the opposite direction. v

' When the push-button 6U isfpressed to register a call for service, closure of the make contact 6UR1 completes the following energizing circuit for the lamp:

L+3, 6UR1, GUWJUE, 6ULA, LsA, L-s

The rectifier UE prevents `the1fl0w of currents which may result in improper operation of the' control circuits. Such currents are referred to in the art as sneak currents.

' Each lampnis similarly energized by operation of its associated push-button. For example, if the push-button 5U is operated, 'its associated lamp is energized through the circuits:

Each of the rectifiers is lidentified by the reference character E preceded by the referenceA character employed for the associated push-button. Conveniently, the rectifiers may be of the barrier-layer type, such as a copper oxide rectifier or a selenium rectifier.

:t `In somefcases, it maybefcasibleto employ one lamp for a pair of push-buttons. For example, in Fig. B'the push-button 6U is associated with the call-storing relay 6UR, the lamp 6ULA, and the rectifier 6UE in the same manner discussed With reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 3 also shows the down push-button 6D with its down callstoring relay 6DR and its canceling coil 6DRN associated with the buses L-I-S and L-3 in the same manner discussed with reference to Fig. l.

In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the Vlamp 6ULA, when illuminated, is intended to indicate the registration of either an up floor call, a down iioor call, or of both an up floor call and down floor call for the sixth oor. To this end, the electroconductive element 6DW is connected through a rectifier 6DE to the terminal of the lamp 6ULA intermediate the lamp and the rectifier 6UE. Consequently7 if the push-button 6D is pressed, the following The rectier 6DE is poled to permit current to flow from the posi-tive bus L-j-3 through the lamp to the negative -bus L-3, but not in the reverse direction. The lamp 6ULA in Fig. 3 does not discriminate between up |and down registered calls.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments thereof, numerous modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the invention are possible.

I claim as my invention:

l. In an elevator system comprising a structure having at least three floors; an elevator car; means mounting the elevator car for movement relative to the s-tructure to serve the floors; a source of electric energy including a first electroconductive element; separate call-registering means for each of the floors; each of the callregistering means for one of the floors lcomprising separate electroresponsive translating means for each of the iioors each effective when operated for registering a call from the associated one of the oors, a floor-station unit spaced from the translating means and voperable by a person desiring to register a call for elevator services for the associated one of the floors, and coupling means coupling the floor-station unit and the associated translating means responsive signal adjacent each of the floor-station units,` coupling means adjacent the floor-station uni-t coupling the signal for each of the floor-station units across the electroconductive member for the associated floor-station unit andthe second electroconductive element to estab-plish a signal energizing circuit responsive to the voltage between the member and the last-named element, said last-named coupling means for each signal including a blocking device preventing substantial flow of electric current through the `associated signal from the source in' more than one direction for each operation of a floor# station unit; thev translating unit for each of the floor-l- Astation units being effective While in operated condition for maintaining a connection between the rst electroconductive element and the electroconductive member for thev associated floor-station unit to operate the signal for such associated floor-station unit, whereby operation of yanyI of the translating means is accompanied by operation ,ofvv

the associated signal'to indicate that the desired call for service is registered. l

2. ln an elevator system comprising a structure having a plurality of floors; an elevator car; means mountingtheelevator 'car 'for movement relative to the structure to serve the oors; a source of electric energy including a irst electroconductive element; separate Airst call-registering Ameans for each of the doors; each of the call-registering means for one of the floors comprising-separate elect'roresponsive translating means for each of the ocrs each effective when operated for registering a ycall from the associated one of the floors, a hoor-station unitfspaced from the translating means and operable by a person desiring -to register a call for elevator services for the associated one of the floors, and coupling means coupling the floor-station unit and the associated translating means to the source for controlling-the operation of the translating means in response to operation of the floor-station unit, said cou-pling means .including-an 'electro-conductive member extending between the licor-station unit and the associated translating means for controlling the energization of the translating means in accordance with operation of the associated oorestation unit; in combination with a second electroconductive element extending adjacent said floor-station units; means for establishing an electric voltage between said elements; second call-registering means sirnilar to the rst call-registering means for each of said floors, rwhereby the rst and second callregistcring means may be employed for registering calls for elevator service respectively in first and second directions of travel, a separate electroresponsive signal for each of the floors adjacent the hoor-station units forthe associated oor, means coupling the signal for each of Ithe floors in a iirst circuit across the electroconductive member for the associated floor unit for the rst call registering means and the electroconductive element and in a second circuit across the electroconductive member for the associated floor unit for the rsecond call registering means and the electroconductive element, and rst and second rectifier Ymeans in said rst and second circuits respectively, said rectifier means .permitting current to ow in the associated circuits only in a predetermined direction through the signal.

3.- A-n -elevator control system comprising a plurality of elevator cars; a plurality of landings; -a first source of voltage supply; a pl-urality of control switches, one at each Yof therespective landings operable by intending passengers; a plurality of stopping mechanisms Vo-ne kfor each kcar for causing the stopping of the yassociated cars at the respective landings; and means responsive to an actuation of a control switch for eecting only 'one energization of one of the stopping mechanismstfrom said rst source of voltage supply; a second source of voltage supply; a signal lamp associated with said actuated control switch; and means responsive to said actuation ofV said control switch for energizing said signal lamp from said second voltage supply, whereby said signal indicates the actuation of said 'control switch until 'an elevator car `stops at the landing associated with such control switch.

4. In an elevator system comprising a structure having aplurality of floors; an elevator car.; means mounting the elevator car formovement relative to the structure to serve the floors; a source of electric energy including a Yrst electroconductive element; separate first call-registering means for each of the oors; each of the call-registering means for one of the floors comprising separate electroresponsive translating means for each of the floors each effective when operated for registering a call from the associated one of the floors, a `floor-'station unit spaced from the translating means and operable by a person desiting to register a call for elevator services for the asso-y elated one of the floors, and coupling means coupling the vlicor-station unit and the associated translating means tothe source for controlling the operation of the translating Ameans in response to operation of the oor-'station unit; second call-registering means similar 'tothe first callregistering means for each of said floors, whereby the rst and second call-registering means may be employed for registering calls for elevator service respectively in irst and second :directions of travel, a separate electrore'sponsive signal-for each of theziloors adjacent the iioor station units Vfor the associated door, and :means responsive to operation of-each of the ftwo floor station units fora floor to register `:a call for operatively energizing the signal for the last-namediloon 5. In an elevator system comprising va structure Yhaving atleast three f-iloorsyan'elevator car; means mounting the elevator car for `movement :relative to the structure to serve the oors; a source of electric energy including a rst electroconductive element; separate call-registering means for each of the floors; each of the call-registering means for `'one of the floors-comprising separate electroresponsive translating means vfor each of the floors each effective when operated for registering 'a call from the associated one `of the floors, a floor-station unit spaced from the translating means and operable by a person desir-ing to register a vcall for elevator services for the associated-one 'of :the floors, Yand 'coupling means coupling the floor-'station unit 'and the associated translating means to the source for controlling the 'operation of the translating :means in'response to operation of the door-station unit, said coupling means including an electroconductive associated translating means for controlling the energization of the translating means in accordance with operation of the associated `floor-station unit; in combination with a second velectro'conductive element extending adjacent said Hoor-station units; `means for establishing an electric voltage between said elements; a separate electroresponsive signal adjacent-each 'of the licor-station units, c'oupling :rneans .adjacent the Hoor-station unit coupling the signal -for each of the floor-station units across the electroconductive member ffor the associated Yfloor-station unit and Vthe second Yelectroconductive element to establish a signal energizingfcircuit responsive to the voltage vbetween the member and the last-named element, said last-named coupling means for leach signal including a blocking device ypreventing substantial flow of electric 'current through .the associated signal from the source in more' than one direction for each operation of a floor-station unit; the translating Vunit for each ofthe floor-station u'nits being effective while in operated condition "for maintain-v ing a connection between the `Yfirst electroconductive element and the electroconductive member for the associated j floor=station unit 'to operate the :signal .for such associated floor-station unit, whereby operation 'of any of the translating means is accompanied by 'operation of the associated signal to indicate that the desired call for service is registered, iinrcombination. with 'means responsive to stopping of 'the elevator car at any of the tloors in response to `a 'call registered by lthe call-registering means for the last-named floor for :resetting the last-'named callregister.

ing means and thereby resetting the rsignal for the lastnamed call-registering means.

6. In an elevator` system vcrnprising a vstructure having at least three floors; van elevator car; -means mounting the elevator car for movement relative to the structure .to serve the oors; a source of electric energy including a irst electroconductive' element; separate call-registering means foreach of the f l'oors; each of the call-registering means for one ofthe oors comprising separate electroresponsive translating means for each of the oors each eiective when operated vfor registering a call from the associated one of the 'oors, a `floor-station unit 'spaced from the translating means and 'operable by a person desiring to register a call for elevator services for the associated one of the oors, `and coupling means coupling Ithe floor-station unit and -the associated translating means to the source forcontrolling the operation 'ofthe translatingl meansin response to operation of the floorstation unit, :said coupling means including an electroconductive member kextending between the floor-station. unit and the associated translating means for controlling the energization ofthe translating vmeans in accordance` assa'r'is with operation of the associated iioor-station unit; in coinbination with a second electroconductive element extending adjacent said iloor-station units; means for establishing an electric voltage between said elements; a separate electroresponsive signal adjacent each of the door-station units, coupling means adjacent the floor-station unit coupling the signal for each of the floor-station units across the electroconductive member for the associated iioorstation unit and the second electroconductive element to' establish a signal energizing circuit responsive to the voltage between the member and the last-'named element, said last-named coupling means for each signal including a blocking device preventing substantial ow of electric current through the associated signal from the source in more than one direction for each operation of a iloorstation unit; the translating unit for each of the iloorstation units being etective while in operated condition for maintaining a connection between the first electroconductive element and the electroconductive member for the associated licor-station unit to operate the signal for such associated tioor-station unit, whereby operation of any of the translating means is accompanied by operation of the associated signal to indicate that the desired call for service is registered, the electric voltage being at a frequency diiering from the frequency of the source, each of said blocking devices comprising discriminating means having a high impedance to the source `and a low impedance to the voltage.

7. In an elevator system comprising a structure having at least three oors; an elevator car; means mounting the elevator car for movement relative to the structure to serve the floors; a source of electric energy including a rst electroconductive element; separate call-registering means for each of the iioors; each of the call-registering means for one of the oors comprising separate electroresponsive translating means for each of the oors each eiective when operated for registering a call from the as sociated yone of the iioors, a floor-station unit spaced from the translating means and operable by a person desiring to register a call for elevator services for the associated one of the oors, and coupling means coupling the iioorstation unit and the associated translating means tothe source for ycontrolling the operation of the translating means in response to operation of the floor-station unit, said coupling means including an electroconductive member extending between the floor-station unit and the associated translating means for controlling the energization yof the translating means in accordance with operation of the associated door-station unit; in combination with a second electroconductivev element extending adjacent said floor-station units; means for establishing an electric voltage between said elements; a separate electroresponsive signal adjacent each of the door-station units, coupling means adjacent the Hoor-station unit coupling the signal for each of the floor-station units across the electroconductive member for the associated oor-station unit and the second electroconductive element to establish a signal energizing circuit responsive to the voltage between the member and the last-named element, said lastnamed coupling means for each signal including a blocking device preventing substantial flow of electric current through the associated signal from the source in more than one direction for each operation of a floor-station unit; the translating unit for each of the floor-station units being effective while in operated condition for maintaining a connection between the rst electroconductive element and the electroconductive member for the associated Hoor-station unit to operate the signal for such associated floor-station unit, whereby operation of any of the translating means is accompanied by operation of the associated signal to indicate that the desired call for service is registered, the second electroconductive element being at ground potential.

8. In an elevator system comprising a structure having at least three iioors; an elevator car; means mounting 10 the elevator car for movement relative to the structure to serve the floors; a source of electric energy including a iirst electroconductive element; separate call-registering means for each of the oors; each of the call-registering means for one of the floors comprising separate electroresponsive translating means for each of the floors each effective when operated for registering a call from the associated one of the floors, a floorstation unit spaced from the'translating means and operable by a person desiring to register a call for elevator services for the associated one of the floors, and coupling means coupling the Hoor-station unit and the associated translating means to the source for controlling the operation of the translating means in response to operation of the floor-station unit, said coupling means including an electroconductive member extending between the Hoor-station unit and the associated translating means for controlling the energization of the translating means in accordance with operation of the associated oor-station unit; in combination with a second electroconductive element extending adjacent said floor-station units; means for establishing an electric `Voltage between said elements; a separate electroresponsive signal adjacent each of the floor-station units, coupling means adjacent the floor-station unit coupling the signal for each of the floor-station units across the electroconductive member for the associated floor-station unit and the second electroconductive element to establish a signal energizing circuit responsive to the voltage between the member and the last-named element, said station unit; the translating unit for each of the floorstation units being effective while in operated condition for maintaining a connection between the first electroconductive element and the electroconductive member for the associated iioor-station unit to operate the signal for such associated floor-station unit, whereby operation of any of the translating means is accompanied by oper-4 ation =of the associated signal to indicate that the desired call for service is registered, each of said blocking devices including rectifier means permitting flow of current in the associated circuit in yonly one direction.

9. In an elevator system comprising a structure having at least three lioors; an elevator car; means mounting the elevator car for movement relative to the structure to serve the iloors; a source of electric energy including a rst electroconductive element; separate call-registering means for each of the floors; each of the call-registering means for one of the floors comprising separate electroresponsive translating means for each of the iioors each effective when operated for registering a call from the associated one `of the iloors, a floor-station unit spaced from the translating means and operable by a person desiring to register a call for elevator services for the associated one of the floors, and coupling means coupling the floor-station unit and the associated translating means t-o the source for controlling the operation of the translating means in response to operation of the floor-station unit, said coupling means including an electroconductive member extending between the Hoor-station unit and the associated translating means for controlling the energization of the translating mean in accordance with operation of the associated Hoor-station unit; in combination with a second electroconductive element extending adjacent said iloor-station units; means for establishing an electric voltage between said elements; a separate electroresponsive signal adjacent each of the Hoor-station units, coupling means adjacent the floor-station unit coupling the signal for each of the floor-station units across the electroconductive member for the associated Hoor-station unit and the second electroconductive element to establish a signal energizing circuit responsive to the voltage between the member and the last-named element, said last-named coupling means for each signal includiuga blocking device .preventing substantial ow.-of electric current through the associated signal from the source i-n more than one direction for 'each operation of -a floor-` for lthe associated licor-station unit to operate the `signal f-or such associated floor-station unit, whereby operation of any of the translating means is accompanied by open ation of the associated -signal to indi-cate that the desired call for service is registered, each of the signals comprising a cold-electrode, gaseous-discharge lamp.

10. fIn an elevator system comprising -a structure having atleast three floors; an elevator car; means mounting the Ielevator car for movement relative to the-structure to serve the oors; a source of electric-energy including a first electroconductive element; separate call-registering means for each of the floors; each of the call-registering means for one of the oors comprising vseparate electroresponsivel translating means for each of the floors each effective when operated for registering acall from the associated one of the oors, a floor-station unit spaced from the translating means and operable by a person desiring to register a call for elevator services for the associated one of the floors, and coupling means coupling the floor-station unit and the associated translating .means to the source for controlling the operation of the translating'means in response to operation ofV the lloorjstation unit, said coupling means including an electroconductive member extending between the floor-'station unit and the associated translating means for controlling the/ energization of the translating means in accordance with operation of the associated floor-station unit; in combination with la second electroconductive element extending `adjacent said floor-station units; means for establishing tan electric voltage between said elements; a separate Velectrones'ponsive signal adjacent each of the Hoor-station units, coupling means adjacent the floor-station unitcoupling the signal for each of the floor-station units acrossvthe electroconductive member for the associated floor-sta tion unit and vthe second electroconductive element to establish a signal energizing circuit responsive to btl1e-volt age between the'member and the last-named element, said last-named coupling means for each signal including a blocking device preventing substantial "ow of electric current 'through the associated signal from the source 'in more than one direcion for each operation of a floorstation unit; the translating'unit for each of the oorstation units being effective while inoperated condition for maintaining a connection between the'rst electroe'onductive element andthe electroconductive member for ,the:associatedlicor-station unit to :operate the signal fordsuchrassociated tloor-station unit, whereby operation of anylof the Y`translating means is .accompanied `by op-A eration -of the associated signal to-indicate1that the de-` si-red `call l-for service is registered, -the source supplying to serve the floors; Va source `ot electric energy including a lrst electroconductive element; separate -irst-.call-registering means for each Aofthe-floors; each of thezrcall=registering :means 'for one of the floors .comprising separate electroresponsive translating meansforeach-of ,the floors each'eective when operated :for registering .-a call from the 'associated one .of the floors, a floor-station .unit

spaced from the translating means and operable 4by a person desiring to register a call for yelevator services for the associated one of .the oors, and -couplingrmeans coupling the floor-station unit and the associated translating means tothe source 'for controlling the Vvoperation,

of the translating means in response to .operation of` the floor-station unit; second call-registering means similar to the rst vcall-registering means "for each of said oors,

whereby the first and second call-registering meansrnay be employed for 'registering calls for elevator service,

respectively in rst and second directions of travel, a separate electroresponsive signal for each of the oors adjacent the door-station units for the associated Hoor, and means responsive 'to operation of each of the two licor-station units for a floor to register a call for operatively'energizing the signal for the last-named oor, in combination with 'means responsive to arriv'altof the elevator ear adjacent a floor'to answer a call registered by operation of Aonly Aone'of vthe translating means for the last-'named floor Vfor'resetting the last-named translatrn'g` meansand 'thesignal associated with the lastlna'med translating'means.

References Cited in the tile of` this patent Y UNITED STATES `PATENT S :1,31lg650 Il'ovhnson et al Iuly.29,.l9l9 :1,5942-,415 Federici Jan. 9,1934 2,501,320 Eames Mar. 21,.l950 2,568,348 McCauley Sept. 18, l1951 2,620,395 `Sni'djers Dec. 2, 1952 v.2,741,755 Galanty Apr. l0, 1956 

